ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is visiting Asheville, North Carolina on Saturday to see how the city is recovering from Hurricane Helene’s damage and meet with people affected by the storm.
She is expected to speak to reporters around 2:50 p.m.
Noem’s Saturday is slated to begin with a stop at Samaritan’s Purse, a disaster relief organization, where she is expected to meet with volunteers and talk to survivors about their experiences.
She plans to join several key officials for lunch, including Senator Ted Budd, and Republican Representatives Virginia Foxx and Chuck Edwards. She will be joined by FEMA’s Interim Administrator Cameron Hamilton, who was recently appointed by President Donald Trump.
The Secretary’s afternoon schedule includes getting updates about water restoration and other recovery work in the area, according to a release from her office.
The visit comes after many Trump Administration officials, including the president, criticized FEMA’s response in the area following Helene. During Trump’s last visit to Asheville, the president said he was considering getting rid of the agency altogether, however, it would take an act of Congress to end the agency.
Asheville continues to deal with Hurricane Helene’s impacts. The storm caused widespread damage across the region, forcing many residents from their homes and disrupting essential services.
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